Farmers across most of Missouri now are eligible for federal aid as a result of a natural disaster declaration by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Gov. Jay Nixon said Wednesday the declaration means farmers can get emergency loans and other assistance from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency.

The disaster declaration applies to 31 counties that have suffered extreme or exceptional drought, or have been in a severe drought for more than eight weeks. Farmers in an additional 32 neighboring counties also can receive aid.

Area counties included among the 31 counties under the primary disaster declaration are: Lincoln, Monroe, Pike and Ralls.

Local counties included among the 32 counties designated as contiguous disaster counties are: Marion and Shelby.